Amen Bank: A Strategic Player in Tunisia's Sustainable Energy Transition
In a global context marked by climate urgency and the need for deep reform of energy systems, Amen Bank is positioning itself as a key player in Tunisia's sustainable energy transition. Through a meeting titled "Amen Bank, a Reference Bank for Accompanying Tunisian Businesses," the bank brought together high-level experts to outline the contours of a low-carbon, resilient, and competitive economy.
An Inevitable Energy Transition
Samir Amous, an international expert in energy and climate policies, presented the general framework, context, benefits, and tools of decarbonization during the first session. He highlighted the historical evolution of the energy transition, which has transformed from a simple question of "energy control" in the 1970s to a global, irreversible, and urgent necessity in the face of the worsening climate crisis.
According to Amous, this transformation goes beyond technological issues, requiring a systemic overhaul of our energy production, distribution, and consumption patterns, closely linked to digital, industrial, climate, and regulatory transitions.
He also emphasized international commitments, including the Paris Agreement, which Tunisia has signed, obliging the country to strengthen its greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
Tunisia's Energy Challenges
Rafik Missaoui, a specialist in energy economics and climate change, shed light on the vulnerabilities of Tunisia's energy model. Since the 2000s, the country has become a net energy importer, making its economy dependent on global price volatility.
He indicated that the goal is to increase the share of renewable energy to 18% of total energy consumption by 2035, with 50% of electricity coming from renewable sources, supported by an installed capacity of 8000 MW.
Missaoui also stressed that Tunisian businesses must integrate these challenges not only to improve their competitiveness but also to meet international regulatory requirements, such as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (MACF).
ESG and Sustainable Finance: An Unavoidable Shift
Aimen Ktari, Director of the Sustainable Development and ESG Platform at PwC, placed the question of sustainable development in a strategic and financial perspective. According to Ktari, ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) criteria are becoming crucial for accessing financing.
He emphasized the need for a structured approach, including a sustainability diagnosis, defining issues through double materiality, a three-year roadmap, and regular reporting of implemented actions.
Carbon Footprint: A Tool for Competitiveness and Financing
Haithem Hadded, Industrial Director at Sitex and expert in carbon accounting and sustainability, provided technical insights into upcoming regulations. The MACF will require carbon emission declarations from all companies exporting to the EU, accompanied by a carbon tax, starting in 2026.
He explained the three scopes of carbon footprinting:
- Scope 1: Direct emissions from the company
- Scope 2: Electricity consumption
- Scope 3: Indirect emissions, such as raw material transportation
A structured carbon footprint is becoming a financing and credibility criterion for economic partners and funders.
Amen Bank: A Financial Catalyst for Sustainability
Faithful to its vision of responsible banking, Amen Bank aims to accelerate the financing of the energy transition. The bank is strengthening its national and international partnerships to facilitate access to green financing for businesses, promote the integration of ESG criteria into corporate governance, and support investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
